2023 marks 50 years since the Granada Mansfield closed its doors for the final time – and to celebrate the milestone a two-month long free exhibition has been opened at Mansfield Museum.

To watch a video of the exhibition click here

It features information, photographs, memorabilia, audio recordings, film, and a specially-commissioned model of what was a major entertainment hub in the town for more than 40 years.

The much-loved Granada, on West Gate, was originally a cinema and later also became a music venue in the late 1950s and 1960s. Top of the charts of the famous music names to have appeared at the Granada were The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

These memories of The Granada — which was on the site of today’s Primark store — are being kept alive by Mansfield man Ian ‘Watko’ Watkins.

In 2019 he launched and collated material for a tribute website, https://thegranadamansfield.co.uk, which features interviews with former staff and visitors; rare old film; photographs; and much more — all of which bring back memories for people who went to the Granada to watch films and concerts.

Now he has seen his dream of bringing all his memorabilia and memories together in the exhibition come true.

Ian Watkins particularly thanked Projected Picture Trust for loaning this Westar projector, which created a lot of interest among former projectionists at the exhibition launch.

Ian, programme controller at radio station Mansfield 103.2, said he was moved to tears thinking about how lovely the opening was, bringing together many people who used to work and visit the Granada 50 years from its closure.

“The Granada spirit is a powerful echo,” he said. (Ian is pictured extreme right with some of the former staff and visitors at the exhibition launch)

“The launch of the exhibition was really heart-warming and emotional. The best part for me was seeing the Granada team back together again.

“It was also extremely special to have Oliver Oaksford there – his great-grandfather, Bertie Oaksford, was the man who had the idea to build a super cinema in Mansfield in the 1920s. So to have representation from his family at the event was the cherry on the cake for me.

“50 years on from its closure the Granada still holds a special place in local people’s hearts and it’s brilliant to be able to keep its memory alive and pass on the stories to younger generations.

“I must say a huge thank you to everyone who made this possible. At one point I thought the pandemic had ended my plans for this, so I’m so pleased we were able to make it happen.”

Among the exhibits is a miniature model of the Granada, based on a photo taken in September 1964.

In April 2020 Ian commissioned Lee Robinson (below), of LNR Models, Huddersfield, to create the model of the frontage of the Granada.

Explaining why he has put together the website and exhibition, Ian said: “I have a keen interest in local history — social history.

“I have long been fascinated by stories of the Granada and for the last few years I have been collecting memories and memorabilia relating to the cinema.

“I suppose it started for me with my dad telling me about him going to see The Beatles at the Granada.

“Initially, perhaps I didn’t believe him and the stories about bands like The Rolling Stones also appearing in Mansfield.

Among the exhibits is this recreation of Commissioner Ron Burkitt’s cap by Balcony Shirts.

“He was there back in 1963 watching The Beatles, but gradually I began to realise it was all true. Probably the internet suddenly made everything easier to verify, read up about, and realise it did happen.

“I have always been a fan of The Beatles music and it all came to life for me.

“I did history at university and am particularly interested in social history. With working at the radio station, and the music link, it inspired me to keep alive the memories of the Granada and all those people who worked and visited there.

“I would walk down West Gate and look up at Primark, thinking of what an iconic building used to be there.

“It made me want to reach out to all the people who used to work there, who used to go there for a night out, and to record those memories for future generations before they are lost.

“I am sure that many are shocked to find so many stars, like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, played in Mansfield.

“And it’s not just about the music. It is about the Granada as a cinema, with a nod to all the other cinemas there were in Mansfield at that time too — something like five in two-miles.

“It has now been gone longer than it existed, but for many local people when you mention its name it still brings back happy memories.”

This previously-unseen photograph of the Granada prompted many conversations.

Visitors to the museum can view photographs that have not been seen for a long time and which Ian had to get special permission to include in the exhibition.

There is also an original architects drawing of the building, side on, from the 1920s before it was built, which Ian explained gives an idea of the scale of the project to create what was then The Plaza.

The art deco building was designed by Nottingham’s Alfred John Thraves.

Usherette torches, ice cream trays, and cinema seats from the period, as well as memorabilia from Granada shows such as tickets, are on display.

Visitors can listen to some of Ian’s interviews with former staff members, recounting their time and memories of working there — as well as watching old film of the Granada.

If you’d like to be interviewed or can help with the Granada website, call Mansfield 103.2 on 01623 666020 or email [email protected]